Work in Progress: A qualitative analysis of students' emerging understanding of becoming a Grand Challenge Scholar-Engineer

摘要

The National Academy of Engineering (NAE) Grand Challenge Scholars Program (GCSP) has been implemented at Arizona State University (ASU) and over 30 other engineering schools as an effort to prepare future engineering leaders who can collaborate and succeed in a global, transdisciplinary environment. The GCSP aims to prepare future engineers through a combination of curricular and co-curricular experiences in five component areas: research, interdisciplinary curricula, entrepreneurship, global experience, and application of engineering to meet social needs. Each student chooses her own unique set of experiences, to achieve the distinction of Grand Challenge Scholar, endorsed by both the university and the NAE. A majority of the experiences must also be aligned with the Grand Challenge(s) they have chosen to dedicate their efforts toward solving. At ASU, students choose one of five grand challenge theme areas (Education, Energy, Health, Security, Sustainability) or one of the 14 NAE Grand Challenges. Students are admitted to the GCSP as freshmen, and most start work on the program requirements in their first semester. Prior to starting their first semester classes, 25% of students attend a week long residential summer institute aimed at introducing the GCSP at the university. Students enroll in a semester long multidisciplinary course in their first semester to explore the grand challenges and to develop a plan to meet program requirements. The summer institute and introductory course provide students an opportunity to connect with their peers and near peers who have made progress in the GCSP and begin building a community of scholars. Subsequently, students choose their own path through the program completing courses and experiences relevant to their Grand Challenge theme. Requirements include at least two semesters of research, 80 hours of service learning, and coursework combined with experience(s) in global, interdisciplinary, and entrepreneurship subject areas. Students are expected to document and reflect on their work in their portfolios as they complete the experiences. Upon completion of GCSP, students must submit their completed portfolio before they graduate.